It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Presque Isle State Park in Erie, CO gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Erie, CO is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“My brother passed within 3 hours of the first shift, so we didn't have an”
“My husband looked forward to visiting with his caregivers. The people who stayed with my”
“Raphael and Tenzin were so kind and caring to Robert. Thank you so much.”
“Stephanie was beyond perfect, and Sandy loved her!”
“Thank you ALL for your excellent care!”
“Since I was not present while caregiver was there and live in Washington state, I”
“This company fits perfectly with all of my needs. Their office team is always informative,”
“Ralph had nothing but great praise for the care he recieved. Thank you so much”
“Appreciate ease of contacting, good follow up and flexibility. Care givers we have met so”
“I just wanted to say thank you for my birthday card, it was very thoughtful.”
“We have engaged Aways Best Care only for about 3 weeks, but the care provider”
“Very pleased with services...wonderful experienced well trained caregivers. Helped with all my needs, questions”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care (ABC) in Longmont provided outstanding,”
“When I was a guardian, ABC provided quality care that allowed my client to stay”
“I am a past client of this provider Our family had a great experience with Always”
“This is an amazing organization!”
“A beautiful and friendly place”
“I am a past client of this provider We had just started and all of these”
“I am a current client of this provider They do a lot of the things we”
“I am a past client of this provider I never had a problem with Always Best”
“I am a current client of this provider They are really good with the clients. They are”
“My caregiver is very accommodating to whatever I need. She will do chores for me.”
“I am a current client of this provider The most helpful part is getting him in”
“I am a current client of this provider My caregiver is very accommodating to whatever I”
“The most helpful part is getting him in and out of bed and transferring. They”
“Always best care is one of the best companies I have worked for. Best people”
“Always Best Care is the best! I loved working here. Everyone cares about you and”
“I have worked as a caregiver for over 3 years now, this being the third”
“I am a current client of this provider They have a huge impact. They help the”
“We are getting ready to have a girl leave right now. Marla is wondering if”
“Always Best Care was there with caring, knowledgeable staff, ready to meet me and discuss”
“My brother passed within 3 hours of the first shift, so we didn't have an opportunity to evaluate your caregivers. The process of setting up a care plan and arranging the payment worked very fine. Caregiver Alissa was very cooperative and competent. From a limited perspective, I would recommend without hesitation.”
“My husband looked forward to visiting with his caregivers. The people who stayed with my husband were kind to him. I appreciate that so much!”
“Raphael and Tenzin were so kind and caring to Robert. Thank you so much.”
“Stephanie was beyond perfect, and Sandy loved her!”
“Thank you ALL for your excellent care!”
“Since I was not present while caregiver was there and live in Washington state, I can only comment on what I learned from a distance. Always Best Care staff, Holly as care manager, was always prompt with reports, caring in her reporting. The staff said Chloe had Mike out involved in activities which contributed to his improved cognitive. Too bad he fell but sadly nothing to be done about Mike's falls. They sometimes just happen no matter how many aids there are in place. I appreciated the ability of Always Best Care to provide a caregiver in 24'. Thank you.”
“This company fits perfectly with all of my needs. Their office team is always informative, caring, and fast at responding. The care that we receive is always amazing and everything that we have been looking for.”
“Ralph had nothing but great praise for the care he recieved. Thank you so much for taking care of my brother.”
“Appreciate ease of contacting, good follow up and flexibility. Care givers we have met so far seem kind and genuinely interested in their client.”
“I just wanted to say thank you for my birthday card, it was very thoughtful. You have a great team, it's recognized and appreciated. Everyone has made me feel welcome and it was nice visiting with everyone on your caregiver appreciation lunch you had. Keep up the good work and try not to work too hard.”
“We have engaged Aways Best Care only for about 3 weeks, but the care provider is perfect for our needs. She is professional, thoughtful, and proactive. The case manager and community liaison are also personable and responsive. We highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Very pleased with services...wonderful experienced well trained caregivers. Helped with all my needs, questions and all staff at the office is always available.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care (ABC) in Longmont provided outstanding, emphatic service in helping move a family member into a new residence, making possible a higher level of care for her than previously available. In addition to supporting her prior to and through this highly stressful process, ABC, and particularly Madison and Michelle, provided extremely useful advice to us, including recommendations for movers and for a pet fostering service that will care for some of her pets until their new homes can be identified. Throughout the process ABC gave us abundant time and attention. Their recommendations and support were spot-on. We highly recommend them.”
“When I was a guardian, ABC provided quality care that allowed my client to stay in his current living space. They were great with communication, and overall had a wonderful experience!”
“I am a past client of this provider Our family had a great experience with Always Best Care. The case management that provides oversight for the caregivers is what set them apart. I would highly recommend!”
“This is an amazing organization!”
“A beautiful and friendly place”
“I am a past client of this provider We had just started and all of these hospitalizations happened. It would have had a really nice impact we just weren't able to use it for very long. They were great. Their service was wonderful and the communication was great. I was very happy with the kindness and care.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do a lot of the things we cannot do ourselves. Everyone we have had has been exceedingly pleasant and easy to get along with.”
“I am a past client of this provider I never had a problem with Always Best Care. My experience was positive because they were attuned to the time with everything I needed to do. If there was a paper I needed to be signed, they were helpful. I don't have any memory problems, but they were very friendly. We laughed and talked. They were just like a best friend who took me where I needed to go. I have always told people about Always Best Care and the people working there. I have referred people. Always Best Care is the best. I like how they were attentive when I called. Laura, she knew exactly what I needed. And the timing, they were perfect about the timing. Always Best Care was attuned to what I needed.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are really good with the clients. They are prompt and always on time. They are always on top of everything when we call.”
“My caregiver is very accommodating to whatever I need. She will do chores for me. This agency will keep in touch with us.”
“I am a current client of this provider The most helpful part is getting him in and out of bed and transferring. They are very good about if something happens like if someone doesn't come they will get someone out here.”
“I am a current client of this provider My caregiver is very accommodating to whatever I need. She will do chores for me. This agency will keep in touch with us.”
“The most helpful part is getting him in and out of bed and transferring. They are very good about if something happens like if someone doesn't come they will get someone out here.”
“Always best care is one of the best companies I have worked for. Best people and co-workers. They truly care about their clients and caregivers. I love working here!”
“Always Best Care is the best! I loved working here. Everyone cares about you and they are very compassionate. As a student, they were able to work with my schedule from part time to full time. They are reliable and great listeners. Natalie was the best! Anyone looking for a job as a caregiver I would highly recommend it here :)”
“I have worked as a caregiver for over 3 years now, this being the third agency I have worked for. This is by far the best agency I’ve worked for or been around, I would highly recommend them to anyone. As a caregiver, I feel completely supported by all of the office staff and case managers. Communication is a key when it comes to home care, and this office makes that one of their priorities. I’ve never had any issues working for this company. I would recommend them for your family members, or as a caregiver looking for a new job. As a college student they are very flexible with time and accepting of what my needs are.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have a huge impact. They help the most by driving us since I do not drive. They also help change the bedding and make the bed since it is difficult for us to do. I think that they have been excellent. I am very fond of the person I am assigned to.”
“We are getting ready to have a girl leave right now. Marla is wondering if she did something wrong. I told her that was not the case. The turnover of people is massive right now. It's not good when you're dealing with a dementia patient.”
“Always Best Care was there with caring, knowledgeable staff, ready to meet me and discuss all of the care options available, including in-home care, local facilities, etc. They know their stuff and are kind and patient with great follow-through!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Presque Isle State Park in Erie, CO with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Oliver's Rooftop or visit Erie County Historical Society at the Hagen History Center, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Erie, CO, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Erie, CO understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Erie, CO 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
For many older children, teens and adults, sleeping on one’s side or on one’s stomach may feel comfortable. But for an infant, it could be deadly.With the Erie County Health Department reporting seven sudden infant deaths in the past two months, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein is issuing a reminder about what she calls a tragedy that can be averted.“We know that soft bedding and co-sleeping and infants sleeping on their stomachs are common and preventable causes of sudden infant deaths. It re...
For many older children, teens and adults, sleeping on one’s side or on one’s stomach may feel comfortable. But for an infant, it could be deadly.
With the Erie County Health Department reporting seven sudden infant deaths in the past two months, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein is issuing a reminder about what she calls a tragedy that can be averted.
“We know that soft bedding and co-sleeping and infants sleeping on their stomachs are common and preventable causes of sudden infant deaths. It really is the cause of about three out of four sudden infant deaths,” Burstein said.
The health commissioner referred to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website, HealthyChildren.org, where parents could receive tips on safe practices when putting their baby to bed.
Burstein says parents should follow “ABC.” A meaning alone, B meaning on the child’s back, and C meaning in a crib, bassinet, playpen, or other firmly based setup. She spoke more about the importance of avoiding putting a baby on its stomach to sleep.
“They can't move their head, so their face will be forced into the mattress, and that will lead to suffocation,” Burstein said. “Babies need to sleep on their back.”
Burstein also emphasized that putting the baby down alone means no other people or objects.
“Alone means no teddy bears, no stuffed animals, no other kids, no pillows, no crib bumpers, no blankets,” she said. “They can be swaddled in a blanket, or they can wear some type of warm onesie. But there's no (loose) blanket. It should be like the naked crib, nothing else in there.”
She added that adults should put the baby to bed in the same room as where they will sleep, but not put the baby in their bed.Burstein also encouraged parents to make sure babies are vaccinated on schedule.
“There's a new vaccine out, the RSV vaccine. RSV is a virus that can cause some very severe illness and lead to hospitalizations for babies because they get very ill and it’s difficult for them to breathe,” she said. “Many babies are eligible to receive this RSV vaccine, so we recommend that they get that at the newborn period, and then also with the vaccines at two, four, and six months of age include the pertussis vaccine.”
Posted 2:47 AM, Sep 28, 2026BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Bills fans, making purchases at the new Highmark Stadium, helped raise more than $1 million last month for Erie County. That money will be used for stadium repairs and maintenance.According to the Erie County Comptroller's office, $1,080,915.09 came from a 6% tax that is being added to:That total is for August alone. It is charged by the Buffalo Bills, listed as "Game Day Tax" on receipts or "Erie Co S/C" on tickets, going directly to E...
Posted 2:47 AM, Sep 28, 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Bills fans, making purchases at the new Highmark Stadium, helped raise more than $1 million last month for Erie County. That money will be used for stadium repairs and maintenance.
According to the Erie County Comptroller's office, $1,080,915.09 came from a 6% tax that is being added to:
That total is for August alone. It is charged by the Buffalo Bills, listed as "Game Day Tax" on receipts or "Erie Co S/C" on tickets, going directly to Erie County on a monthly basis.
While this surcharge is being added at Bills games, it's also being added for other events - like concerts - at Highmark Stadium.
WATCH: Highmark Stadium tax on Buffalo Bills fans brings in more than $1M for Erie County
An Erie County spokesperson told the 7 News I-Team,
The surcharge is placed on tickets, concessions, merchandise, and other items purchased at Highmark Stadium. This includes all Buffalo Bills home games as well as other events that will be held at the venue. That revenue will be used for continuing capital improvements at the new stadium. This was all negotiated as part of the public discussions about the stadium lease that were held by the Erie County Legislature. The Erie County Comptroller’s Office and the Bills organization are the entities making the decision on how to best document and track all collected surcharge funds, which will be placed in a capital improvement fund to be managed by Empire State Development.
WATCH: Fans will pay an extra 6 percent on purchases inside new Buffalo Bills stadium
The tax also applies to merchandise bought at the Bills Store, across the street from the new stadium.
(WJET/WFXP)-- An Erie County farm recently received an investment from the Shapiro Administration as part of an effort to make sure over 1,200 acres of farmland in the Commonwealth is protected from future development.That investment comes from the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board approving $5.8 million in easements for 1,228 acres of farmland across 14 counties to protect them from commercial or residential development through the Pennsylvania Farm Preservation Program. City of Erie, Water Works combining utility bil...
(WJET/WFXP)-- An Erie County farm recently received an investment from the Shapiro Administration as part of an effort to make sure over 1,200 acres of farmland in the Commonwealth is protected from future development.
That investment comes from the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board approving $5.8 million in easements for 1,228 acres of farmland across 14 counties to protect them from commercial or residential development through the Pennsylvania Farm Preservation Program.
City of Erie, Water Works combining utility bills at start of next year
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Locally, the Department of Agriculture said they awarded $124,204 in state funds to Craig and Louise Shinko for a 70-acre crop farm in Amity Township.
Just down Interstate 79 in Lawrence County, the Department of Agriculture also invested $106,884 between the county and state to preserve a 72-acre livestock farm in Pulaski Township.
Erie County receives over $800K in recreation, conservation funding
"Every farm preserved is a promise to the next generation — a promise that productive farmland, family legacies and Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage will endure," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. "From a Bucks County farm with roots stretching back more than 260 years to an Adams County family preserving its fourth farm, these stories show the lasting impact of farmland preservation. The Shapiro Administration is proud to partner with farm families and local communities to protect the land that sustains our agriculture and our Commonwealth for generations to come."
Investments were also made to preserve farms in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Susquehanna and York counties.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz presented his “very tight” 2027 county budget proposal on Thursday, discussing a property tax rate drop and the harsh impact of inflation.Property tax rate drop A key component of the proposed $2.4 billion budget is dropping the property tax rate. The budget would reduce Erie County’s tax rate by 8 cents per thousand, from $3.09 to $3.01.Poloncarz said the county has dropped the tax rate by 40% since 2012 — calling it the lowest t...
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz presented his “very tight” 2027 county budget proposal on Thursday, discussing a property tax rate drop and the harsh impact of inflation.
A key component of the proposed $2.4 billion budget is dropping the property tax rate. The budget would reduce Erie County’s tax rate by 8 cents per thousand, from $3.09 to $3.01.
Poloncarz said the county has dropped the tax rate by 40% since 2012 — calling it the lowest tax rate in Western New York. The county does not control assessments — just the tax rate.
“If your assessment changes, that’s a result of your city or town,” he explained. “The only thing the county controls is the tax rate, and we’ve actually dropped it by a little over $2 per thousand since 2012 — or 40%.”
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do to hold the line on taxes,” Poloncarz said. “Unfortunately there’s a lot of municipalities and other county governments that go over the tax cap annually, and we have not.”
Republican county lawmakers shared their thoughts on the proposed budget.
“What he’s telling us is exactly opposite of what’s happening on our tax bill,” Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro said. “We’re paying more on our tax bill.”
“I would urge taxpayers to remember your tax bills are going to go up; your Erie County taxes are going to go up,” Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo added. “We are collecting over $12 million more than we did last year in this proposed 2027 budget. So don’t believe Mark Poloncarz when he says your rate goes down. It doesn’t matter. We’re collecting more than ever, and you will likely see an increase in your tax bill.”
As costs rise, the price of road salt is expected to increase this year.
“We’re expecting a doubling in the price of road salt this upcoming year,” Poloncarz said. “Asphalt and steel all have gone up as a result of oil prices going up and the tariffs. We’re hurting too. Everyone’s hurting.”
This upcoming year, Poloncarz said the county projects $1.2 billion in sales tax. He said the county retains about 55%, with the other 45% going to cities, towns, villages, school districts and the NFTA.
“If we were to reduce our sales tax, every single one of those entities would receive a substantial cut in their revenues because they rely on our sales tax to pay for a lot of their expenditures,” Poloncarz said.
Although people are feeling the impacts of inflation, Poloncarz said spending hasn’t slowed down.
“We know about the affordability crisis, we know about inflation,” he explained. “It’s affecting Erie County government. But we thought we’d see a recession, we thought we’d see a reduction in spending. We are not.”
“Sales tax revenue, we are above budget substantially this year,” Poloncarz said. “For the 2027 proposed budget, we’re assuming 3% growth on where we believe we will finish at the end of this year.”
He called the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act “the big shift,” saying it passes expenses down to local governments.
“So what they did is instead of cutting things from the federal government and just cutting the programs, they shifted costs to state and local governments,” Poloncarz said. “So the federal government’s not paying for it anymore, but state and local governments are paying for it now. So for that $1 trillion that was shifted to give tax breaks to billionaires, you and I are paying for it, and it’s serious.”
Lorigo commented on the bill, saying, “The county executive wants to blame the Big Beautiful Bill for everything, but we haven’t seen those increases coming yet.”
“What we are seeing is mandates coming from the state that Mark Poloncarz has no interest in commenting on,” Lorigo continued. “We have $617,000 outstanding from the state that we should be reimbursed when we had to pick up the bill for the corrections crisis. The county executive wants to have a watch party for Kathy Hochul, but he can’t turn around and say, ‘Hey, you keep passing down costs that we can’t afford.'”
There are no new programs or services expected in the upcoming year other than the opening of Willowdale Park in 2027.
The budget includes $50 million for highway and bridge projects, including Twin Cities Memorial Highway in Tonawanda and Rapids Road Bridge and Clarence, and $7 million in park improvements.
Poloncarz said $5.8 million will upgrade technology infrastructure.
“We see a lot of cyber attacks across governments,” he said. “We hear of governments that are basically getting shut down and ransomed; that hasn’t happened in Erie County, and part of it is because we are updating our technology and we have cyber security experts working on our staff.”
The budget also includes $15 million in hotel tax revenue, $8 million for Visit Buffalo Niagara and $2.5 million for convention center operations.
County jail upgrades were also a topic of discussion.
“We are projecting $7 million for the 2027 capital program at the jail, which is phase one of $57 million worth of improvements through 2032 at the jail and the holding center, as well as $4.8 million for security camera upgrades at both facilities,” Poloncarz said.
Poloncarz said the county legislature will hold budget hearings in November. “They usually act in the first week of December, and then I have an opportunity for any additions to veto. Cuts I cannot adjust.”
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